Brazilian agriculture grew by 1.9% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, according to data released this Friday (29/5) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). In comparison with the last quarter of 2019, the sector registered an increase of 0.6%. “Agropecuária registered a growth of 1.9% in relation to the same period of the previous year. This result can be explained, mainly, by the performance of some products of the crop with relevant harvest in the first quarter, such as soybeans, and by the productivity, visible in the estimate of variation of the quantity produced vis-à-vis the planted area ”, says the IBGE, in a statement. The sector was the only one that grew in these two comparisons, according to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the first three months of the year, which, according to the IBGE, already considers the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the social distancing over economic activity. Industry and services decreased in relation to the fourth quarter and the first quarter of 2019. In the accumulated of the period of 12 months ended in March, the GDP of the Agriculture registered growth of 1.6%, according to the Institute. Industry and services also had a positive result. In general, the Brazilian economy registered a decrease of 1.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. In relation to the first quarter of 2019, the fall was 0.3%. In the accumulated of the 12-month period ended in March, the Gross Domestic Product of Brazil registered growth of 0.9%.
Source: Revista Globo Rural